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Essay On Strain Theory

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Essay On Strain Theory
Strain Theory
In accordance to experiencing strain or stress, people may become upset and sometimes engage in crime as a result to either cease or reduce the stress they are experiencing. For example they may steal to reduce financial stress or violence as revenge to those that have wronged them.
There are two major types of strain that contribute to crime
Others that prevent you from achieving your goals
Others that take things you value or present negative stimuli
Money is probably the most centralised goal in the United States. All people are given a “chance” to earn a lot of money so that they are encouraged to work hard. Furthermore money is required to buy many of life’s necessities including basic needs such as food and water. Many people
…show more content…
In positive reinforcement, the behavior results in something good, it could be such things as money, the “high from drugs, attention from parents, peer approval or an increase in social status. In negative reinforcement, the behavior results in the removal of a harmful stimuli. A dissatisfying entity being removed.

Control Theory
Unlike strain and social learning theorists, control theorists take crime for granted. They argue that all people have needs and desires that are more easily satisfied through crime than through legal channels.Crime in their eyes requires no special explanation: it is often the most expedient way to get what one wants. Rather than explaining why people engage in crime, we need to explain why they do not.

In my opinion, the best way to consider why people engage in crime is the strain theory. I have had many personal experienced with friends that “joke” about robbing a bank or selling drugs to make up for their debts and financial deficits. But sometimes it wasn't a joke. I believe that this theory fits the reason why people commit certain crimes most of the

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